Yesterday I received word that historian Eric Wittenberg passed away after a long illness. He was 64 years old. I did not know Eric very well. We met once as participants in a Civil War conference in Virginia a number of years ago.
Eric was a prolific historian, specializing in cavalry operations in the Eastern Theater, especially the Gettysburg Campaign. Over the course of three decades, Eric authored or co-authored twenty-seven books, many of them garnering awards. In addition, he was involved in numerous battlefield preservation organizations, including the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation, Trevilian Station Foundation, Brandy Station Foundation, and Battlefield Trust.
He did all of this on top of his work as a practicing attorney in Columbus, Ohio.
Eric’s blog, aptly titled, Rantings of a Civil War Historian, was one of the first Civil War blogs and predates my own by a couple of months. He offered me a warm welcome to the blogosphere shortly after I started Civil War Memory in November 2005. We often commented on one another’s posts and even sparred on a few occasions, especially over the new visitor center at Gettysburg, but I always respected his writing and commitment to serious history.
From what I’ve read on social media, from his many friends and admirers, Eric gave freely of his time and went out of his way to support the work of others. I count myself among them.
One night Eric called me at home. I don’t remember the year, but at the time I had received numerous threats from the neo-Confederate community, which I had shared on my blog. Eric must have sensed how concerned I was. Not only did Eric offer legal advice, but volunteered to do whatever he could if needed.
I will never forget this act of generosity.
Today my thoughts go out to Eric’s wife Susan and the rest of their family. I am also thinking about the many close friends that Eric made over the years in our small Civil War community. Eric had a significant impact on our field, not just through his many publications, but through the many relationships forged over the years—friendships that will undoubtedly keep his legacy alive.
He will be missed.